Lavender: properties and benefits

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Our blog articles are for informational purposes only and are not intended to qualify our products as medicines or to attribute therapeutic properties to them.

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What is lavender?

Lavender is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, known especially for its purple flowers and its characteristic fresh, floral, and extraordinarily relaxing aroma. It grows in sunny areas, typically in the Mediterranean, but is cultivated in many parts of the world. Lavender has been used for centuries for medicinal, cosmetic, and culinary purposes. Its essential oil is widely appreciated in aromatherapy for its calming effect, particularly useful for improving the sleep, reduce anxiety and stress. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of lavender make it suitable for skin treatments, such as soothing minor wounds or irritations. It is also used in various personal care products, such as soaps, shower gels, and creams, and is almost always present in herbal teas that promote relaxation. Thanks to its versatility, lavender is considered a very valuable plant both in natural medicine and in the cosmetic industry.

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What are the benefits of lavender?

Lavender is widely recognized for its multiple benefits. Here are the main ones:

improvement of sleep and reduction of insomnia: lavender essential oil has mildly sedative properties that promote relaxation and deeper sleep, thanks to the stimulation of calming neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA receptors
reduction of anxiety and stress: the aroma of lavender can help relieve stress and reduce anxiety symptoms. Inhaling its essential oil has been shown to lower cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone
anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects: lavender has anti-inflammatory properties and is also used to relieve muscle pain, headaches, and joint pain, often through topical application or massages
support for skin irritations: thanks to its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, lavender can help in the treatment of small cuts, burns, insect bites, and skin irritations
digestive properties: in traditional medicine, lavender has long been used to relieve gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, cramps, and indigestion, thanks to its antispasmodic properties. It is still used today in the form of herbal tea or capsules to achieve the same benefits

The benefits of lavender according to scientific studies

Here is a summary of some of the best scientific articles on the beneficial effects of lavender. You can find the bibliography at the bottom.

A study on the effectiveness of lavender for generalized anxiety compared the efficacy of a lavender oil supplement with a benzodiazepine-based drug, commonly used as an anxiolytic. The results showed that the drug and lavender oil reduced anxiety in a very similar way, but lavender oil did not cause the side effects associated with benzodiazepines.

Another study examined the effects of lavender aroma on sleep quality in a group of 15 healthy students with an average age of 19 years. The students were divided into two groups: the lavender group and the control group. After a 5-day intervention with nighttime exposure to lavender, an improvement in the feeling of fatigue upon waking was observed in the lavender group. The results suggest that even just the aroma of lavender can promote prolonged and restorative sleep and improve the feeling of rest upon waking.

An additional study analyzed the effect of lavender aroma on sleep by subjecting 42 female university students with insomnia to a 4-week test. Over four weeks, the participants alternated between products containing 60% and 100% lavender. The results showed that both concentrations of lavender significantly reduced the time needed to fall asleep, combating insomnia and improving the quality of nighttime rest and sleep satisfaction at both concentrations.

Another study on lavender aromatherapy showed a remarkable ability to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. The same research highlights that when lavender oil is taken orally, the anxiolytic and calming effects increase.

Why does lavender help with sleep?

Lavender promotes sleep thanks to its calming and sedative properties, mainly due to its essential oil. Lavender essential oil contains active compounds such as linalool and linalyl acetate, which affect the central nervous system. These compounds act on specific brain receptors, such as GABA receptors, which are responsible for reducing neuronal activity, thus leading to a feeling of relaxation and calm. Inhaling the scent of lavender, taking its extract, or applying the oil through massages also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which helps regulate mood and the sleep-wake cycle, contributing to deeper and more restful sleep.

What are the possible side effects of lavender?

Lavender is a natural plant, generally very safe. However, like all plants, it may in some cases have side effects. The topical application of lavender essential oil may in some cases cause certain skin side effects, such as irritation, dermatitis, or sensitivity to sunlight. When taken orally, lavender may induce drowsiness, so unless you are using it specifically for that purpose, be a bit cautious. Naturally, the use of lavender-based products should be avoided in the presence of allergy or intolerance to this plant or its components. Finally, the intake of lavender or its essential oil is generally contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Lavender, chamomile, and CBD: a natural elixir for your sleep

In our CBNight sleep capsules, we have included four natural extracts perfect for taking care of sleep: chamomile, lavender, cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN). Chamomile aids in falling asleep and relieves digestive disorders, while lavender has a sedative and anxiolytic effect that promotes relaxation. CBD, last but not least, helps rebalance the endocannabinoid system, supporting a regular sleep-wake cycle and promoting uninterrupted rest. The CBN, cannabinol, has a mild non-psychoactive sedative effect that promotes falling asleep. Together, these ingredients offer a natural way to sleep better, reduce anxiety and stress related to insomnia but above all to wake up fresh, rested, and in shape. Try them!

Bibliography

Yoo, O.; Park, S.-A. Anxiety-reducing effects of inhaling lavender essential oil: a systematic review. Healthcare 2023 , 11 , 2978. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11222978

Woelk H, Schläfke S. A multi-center, double-blind, randomized study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine. 2010 Feb;17(2):94-9. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.006. Epub 2009 Dec 3. PMID: 19962288.

Hirokawa K, Nishimoto T, Taniguchi T. Effects of lavender aroma on sleep quality in healthy Japanese students. Percept Mot Skills. 2012 Feb;114(1):111-22. doi: 10.2466/13.15.PMS.114.1.111-122. PMID: 22582680.

Lee IS, Lee GJ. [Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students]. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2006 Feb;36(1):136-43. Korean. doi: 10.4040/jkan.2006.36.1.136. PMID: 16520572.